Lionel Messi has become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 20 goals. At 39, he extends his lead over Mbappé and breaks multiple records. His achievement reshapes the tournament's legacy.
In a landmark moment for international football, Lionel Messi has reached an unprecedented 20 goals in World Cup tournaments, setting a new all-time record at the age of 39. This achievement not only cements his status as the tournament's leading scorer but also highlights his remarkable consistency, as he continues to find the net in his fourth consecutive match of the current World Cup.
Messi's tally spans six World Cups, though he scored in five of them: one goal in 2006, none in 2010, four in 2014, one in 2018, seven in 2022, and seven so far in 2026. His latest goals in this edition include a hat-trick against Algeria, a brace versus Austria, a free-kick against Jordan, and his most recent strike against Cabo Verde. With this, Messi also becomes the first player to reach 30 World Cup appearances, another record in the competition's history.
The only player currently close to challenging Messi's record is Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 18 goals across three tournaments: four in 2018, eight in 2022, and six so far in 2026. In this World Cup, Mbappé has netted twice each against Senegal, Iraq, and Sweden. Previous record holders, such as Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo Nazário (15), Gerd Müller (14), and Just Fontaine (13), now trail behind the Argentine star.
Messi has also set another milestone by scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches. This streak began in the knockout rounds four years ago, with goals against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France, and has continued in the current tournament with goals against Algeria, Austria, Jordan, and Cabo Verde. The next major record within Messi's reach is the most goals in a single World Cup edition, currently held by Just Fontaine, who scored 13 in 1958.
As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on whether Messi can surpass Fontaine's single-edition record. The ongoing rivalry with Mbappé adds further intrigue, especially as both players continue to deliver standout performances. For context, recent World Cup coverage has also highlighted other key matches, such as the USA's crucial group stage encounter with Australia, which drew attention due to unexpected squad changes and the absence of Pulisic. Details of that match can be found in this report on the USA's decisive clash with Australia.
Messi's achievements come at a time when the World Cup continues to evolve, with more matches, expanded formats, and increased global attention. The Argentine forward's longevity and ability to perform at the highest level across two decades set a new benchmark for future generations. His records not only reflect individual brilliance but also the changing landscape of international football, where players now have more opportunities to leave their mark on the sport's biggest stage.
